Diesel Engine Coolant

Here is how I do it: http://forum.dieselrvclub.org/index.php/topic,6653.0.html

Yes I flushed my system 4 times with distilled water, took that many flushes for it to run clear.

Pogoil.

If your oil and trans oil are fine and the coolant does not look like milk I would get a kids pool and dump the coolant then flush with water and have the heater on high. Take that to a transfer dump we also have one here, then take it to Cummins and have them do a coolant flush using Restore about a gallon.
When I did my 06 PSD I used 54 gallons distilled water 1/2 gallon Restore flushed then 1/2 gallon Restore+ from Cummins NW then went back with Delo Cat EC-1 coolant at a 50-50 mix with distilled water.
JR

ronphil wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. Engine is a 400 Cummins ISL. I do recall topping off the coolant some months ago so that might be the source of the problem. Now what?

After you flush it using the advice form the other posters, I recommend refilling with Zerex ED-1 extended-life diesel coolant. It does not react adversely with regular green coolant, so if there's any contaminant left, it won't continue to make more "pudding" (I call it tapioca... in small amount thats what it looks like when you drain the coolant).

ssia2485 wrote:
please remember that antifreeze is toxic to animals and humans. do not just dump it on the ground if you or your neighbor has pets. It will kill them if they get into it. Thanks.

Good point. Luckily for me the town transfer station takes both waste oil and antifreeze.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

please remember that antifreeze is toxic to animals and humans. do not just dump it on the ground if you or your neighbor has pets. It will kill them if they get into it. Thanks.

I agree to try to flush it out. If it were me I'd start by removing the radiator hoses, T-stat(s) and coolant filters (if applicable) to see if you can purge it through both the radiator and engine block with a garden hose. If successful I would then do the same thing with heater core. After that I would try filling the system with water (leave the T-stat out) and start the engine for a short time. Keep flushing until you feel you have everything out and then follow Brett's (wolfe10) excellent procedure for changing coolant. He has posted it around here a few times and if you cannot find it I'm sure he will be glad to post it again.

Last point, before you do anything check the engine and xmission dipsticks for normal color and levels to be sure there is not something else going on and don't forget to replace the T-stat(s) and coolant filter (if you have one). Good luck.


Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

I would try flushing it by taking off the heater hoses and putting water into the return hose connection on the engine and letting the other run out. You will need to flush the heater too by turning the Tstat to heat. Hopefully you can get water flowing without taking the radiator hoses off.

Thanks for all the replies. Engine is a 400 Cummins ISL. I do recall topping off the coolant some months ago so that might be the source of the problem. Now what?

naturist wrote:
It's never happened to me, but evidently has happened to folks on a Jeep forum I used to haunt. The common thread seems to be somebody put some of the wrong kind of antifreeze into a system that already had some of the right stuff in it, and the interaction turned to jello. Only way I can think of to clear it out involves lots of water blown forcefully through the system.

X2... mix and match can lead to pudding. Never buy the "Universal" coolant. Only add what's required of your specific engine/chassis. I pay extra for the premix 50/50. Easier to make sure I have the exact amount of antifreeze and demineralized water. The engine costs enough to justify it.